West Ham United made Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks a priority this summer – but Premier League rivals Everton are lurking to hijack the deal.
West Ham United simply need a right-back.
Pablo Zabaleta’s best days are well behind him at the age of 33 while Sam Byram has struggled with both fitness and form since joining from Leeds United two years ago.
So no wonder West Ham put Ryan Fredericks right at the top of their summer wishlist.
A one-time Tottenham Hotspur youngster, the rampaging right-back has been one of the best outside the Premier League for a while now and has set up seven goals this season for a Fulham side who boast arguably the Championship’s most potent attack.
Fredericks will be out of contract this summer however and Football London claim that Hammers boss David Moyes had made him one of his top summer transfer targets.
So what a disappointment it would be if Premier League rivals Everton swooped in and nabbed the 25-year-old from under West Ham’s nose.
According to The Sun, Everton are plotting a move to bring Fredericks to Goodison Park in the summer on a free transfer. He would likely offer back-up to first-choice Seamus Coleman (below), moving ahead of Jonjoe Kenny in the pecking order.
And, quite frankly, West Ham could probably do with Fredericks more than Everton. After all, the Toffees already boast one of the best right-backs in the top flight and Coleman does appear to be fully fit again after almost a year out with a broken leg.
Now, West Ham fans have been left frustrated by the club’s recruitment in recent windows and missing out on a free-agent who would immediately improve their starting XI would not help the mood at the London Stadium.
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